Is Jake Gyllenhaal About To Replace Ben Affleck As Batman?

Gyllenhall is being eyed for the role as things go from bad to worse for Affleck.

Image Picture Warner Bros

Ben Affleck’s time as Bruce Wayne could soon be coming to an end amid rumours Jake Gyllenhaal is in contention to takeover as Batman.

Prior to the release of Justice League, there had been suggestions Affleck was unsure about his future in the role though the actor also said he was “contemplating” starring in The Batman.

Affleck had been set to direct and star in the Batman solo effort before the disappointing response to his recent directorial effort, Live By Night, saw studio bosses recruit Matt Reeves to take the reins.

Now, John Campea has broken the story that Reeves has an actor in mind to replace Affleck should he walk away from the project: Gyllenhaal.

Though any rumours should be taken with a pinch of salt, Affleck has hardly done himself any favours with his behaviour during an interview with the rest of the Justice League cast for MTV.

Affleck was one of several actors to publicly condemn his former producer Harvey Weinstein following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and even assault.

The Good Will Hunting actor was then forced to apologise for “acting inappropriately” during an interview for TRL with presenter Hilarie Burton, who accused Affleck of groping her.

However, that didn’t stop Affleck from making a joke about sexual harassment during the interview.

During the interview his Cyborg co-star Ray Fisher was asked: “What would you get up to if you had Super Girl joining the team?”

Fisher noted that the move would change the dynamic of team, but it was Affleck who then jumped in, laughing, with the quip: “You following the news at all?”

Though it’s unclear what the joke was, Afflecks response has garnered widespread criticism online and, coupled with his own uncertainty over his future as Batman, could pave the way for Gyllenhaal to take on the role.

It’s not the first time Gyllenhaal has been linked with replacing a major star in a superhero role – he was previously rumoured to be in the frame to replace Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man/Peter Parker in the hit franchise. Maybe this time it’ll actually happen.